Corn Harvest Jumps to 80%, Soybeans 90% in USDA Crop Progress Report

Clear weather allowed for swift harvesting this past week and through the weekend with the U.S. corn harvest at 80% done, a 15-point jump from a week ago, to match the five-year average, USDA said in its crop progress report on Monday.

The harvest pace was a little better than expected for corn but slightly behind on soybeans. Farm Futures had forecast 75% for corn and 92% for soybeans, while analysts in a Reuters poll, on average, expected 79% and 91%.

In Iowa, the top corn and soybean producer, corn harvest was 82%, a 21 point jump from a week earlier, and compares with 86% a year ago and the 83% average. Soybeans were 96% harvested there versus 98% a year ago and the 96% average.

Winter wheat 60% good/excellent vs 65% year ago

Winter wheat planting was at 93% as of Sunday versus 94% a year ago and the 93% average.

The crop was 83% emerged versus 83% a year ago and the 79% average.

Kansas, the largest wheat producer, was 96% planted and 88% emerged versus the averages of 98% and 87%, the USDA crop progress report said. Wheat there was rated 63% good to excellent.

Cotton: 62% harvested vs 64% average

The cotton harvest at 62% was ahead of 2013’s 54% but trailed the 64% average.

USDA discontinued for the season other categories for cotton including crop condition.

Sorghum was 75% harvested and 96% mature, versus the respective year ago numbers of 84% and 100% and averages of 80% and 97%